How To File Bankruptcy for Free in New York

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In a Nutshell

If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many New Yorkers file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in New York.

AW
Updated March 2, 2026

5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in New York

Step 1 of 5

See If You Qualify

Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify. Start here →

Quick Qualifier

Will I Qualify for Chapter 7?

This is not legal advice or a formal eligibility determination.

Step 2 of 5

Gather Your Documents

Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online — it takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).

See the Full Document Checklist →
Cost Estimator

What Will Filing Cost Me?

This is not legal advice or a formal eligibility determination.

Step 3 of 5

Complete Your Forms and File

Upsolve generates your bankruptcy forms based on your answers, organized and ready to sign. You can file your forms by mail or in person at your local courthouse. Find your district →

How Filing Works With Upsolve →
Step 4 of 5

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about 5 minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.

What To Expect at Your 341 Meeting →
Step 5 of 5

Get Your Discharge

After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.

What Debts Does Chapter 7 Discharge? →

New York Specifics

Courts and Local Filing Requirements

New York has four federal bankruptcy districts. Your district is based on the county you live in — find yours below for courthouse addresses and filing instructions.

Northern District of New York

DivisionsAlbany, Utica, and Syracuse — your county determines which division handles your case.
AddressesAlbany: James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse, 445 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Utica: Alexander Pirnie Federal Bldg., 10 Broad St., Utica, NY 13501
Syracuse: James M. Hanley Federal Bldg., 100 S. Clinton St., Syracuse, NY 13261
FilingIn person or by mail.
PaymentMoney order or certified check only.
The Northern District provides a pro se packet for individuals filing without a lawyer — available on the court's website.
Counties: Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington, and parts of Ulster.

Eastern District of New York

Address271-C Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201
FilingIn person or by mail.
PaymentMoney order, certified check, or online via Pay.gov.
Counties: Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), and Suffolk.

Southern District of New York

AddressOne Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004
FilingIn person or by mail.
PaymentMoney order, certified check, or cash at the Manhattan courthouse.
Counties: Bronx, Dutchess, New York (Manhattan), Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester, and parts of Ulster.

Western District of New York

AddressOlympic Towers, 300 Pearl St., Suite 250, Buffalo, NY 14202
FilingIn person or by mail.
PaymentMoney order, certified check, or cash at the Buffalo courthouse.
Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates.

Free Legal Aid in New York

If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across New York.

New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)Free civil legal services for low-income New Yorkers, including bankruptcy help.nylag.org →
Legal Services NYCFree legal help for low-income residents in all five NYC boroughs.legalservicesnyc.org →
Empire Justice CenterServes low-income New Yorkers statewide, with offices in Albany, Rochester, and Long Island.empirejustice.org →
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Over 22,000 families have used Upsolve to get a fresh start, for free. It takes 2 minutes to see if you qualify.

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